Dean Lane

Dean Lane of Speculator, New York, died peacefully on Sunday, October 27, 2013, following a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

Born in 1935 in Brockton, Mass. to Donald and Carolyn Lane, Dean grew up in Utica and Piseco, N.Y. He received a BBA degree from UMass Amherst in 1957, and was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity. After serving his country as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, he was employed briefly by General Electric before his entrepreneurial spirit took over and he went into business for himself. Dean and his wife, Betty moved to Piseco, where he had spent summers in his youth, and developed and managed a number of successful businesses, including his family’s florist shop (Brant Bros.), a hardware store and the Irondequoit Inn. Eventually, he bought Charlie Johns Store and the Speculator Department Store, which remain in the family and are now operated by his son.

Dean was deeply committed to the Adirondack area and local community. He held numerous elected and appointed offices locally, as well as with the National Republican Party. He served as Hamilton County State Republican Committeeman, Lake Pleasant Town Councilman, and was also active in the Speculator Chamber of Commerce, Piseco Fire Department, and Piseco Elementary School Board. Dean was a lifelong member of The Fort Schuyler Club in Utica and an avid mariner. He enjoyed many weekends cruising the St. Lawrence Seaway and Piseco Lake, and passed on his love of the water and boating to his four surviving children: Jennifer Milavec (Gary), Rebecca Lane Geary, Tamara Brister (Rick), and Jonathan Lane (Lynn). Dean is also survived by nine grandchildren and his loving partner of many years, Lynn Dunham.

A public memorial service celebrating his life will be held Friday, November 1, at Grace United Methodist Church in Speculator at 2 p.m., followed immediately by a gathering of family and friends at The Inn at Speculator. A private burial will be held the following day at Forest Hill Cemetery, Utica.

Arrangements are with the Dimbleby, Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral Home, New Hartford.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org/donate. Envelopes will also be available at the service.